Rugby star tackles the surf to give New Year dip a try

It was the second time that Phil (16), of Kyoto Court, had joined in the occasion.

His few minutes of fun resulted in 90 of sponsorship to go towards the tour of Belgium by the club's under-17 squad at Easter.

"The first time I did the dip didn't put me off doing it again. The water was not as cold as I expected it to be," explained Chichester High School for Boys pupil Phil.

"The dip is a good thing to do. It's quite fun and it's good teamwork."

He was among 22 players from the club who did the dip in fancy dress.

Newcomer Debbie Camp was prompted to join in after she saw an Observer article about the dip while she was staying with her mum, Iris Camp, in Felpham. She paid 20 to the Lions for the privilege of getting a soaking start to 2009.

Aged 45, from Epsom, she said: "I've always supported the Lions and I thought the dip would be a good thing to do for charity and have some fun.

"It was absolutely freezing in the water, but I would do the dip again and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good way to start a new year."

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